Seat attachment for a stroller

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a seat attachment for a stroller, single stroller and double strollers. The seat attachment includes left and right seat attachment portions, wherein the seat attachment portion comprise a connector portion capable of removably connecting to a stroller frame and a left seat support element removably connecting a seat in either a forward or backward position More specifically, versions of the seat attachment relate to a seat attachment for a stroller capable of supporting a seat such as, but not limited to, a stroller seat, a baby seat, bassinet, a pram, a car seat, or a baby carrier, for example.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/261,558 filed on Apr. 25, 2014 whichclaims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/361,375 filed onDec. 4, 2009 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/119,920 filed on Dec. 4, 2008 which are allhereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is directed to a seat attachment for a stroller, singlestroller and double strollers. Such a seat attachment may be used toconvert a single stroller into a double stroller. More specifically,embodiments of the invention are directed to a seat attachment for astroller capable of supporting a seat such as, but not limited to, astroller seat, a baby seat, bassinet, a pram, a car seat, or a babycarrier, for example. Embodiments of the seat attachment are capable ofreversibly converting a single stroller into a double stroller.

BACKGROUND

Parents with multiple young children may have difficulty transportingtheir children from place to place. Children are slow, easily distractedand, therefore, may lag behind their parents while the parents aretrying to complete shopping tasks or get exercise in a limited amount oftime. In response, many parents have purchased double strollers allowingthe parent or other guardian to push two children simultaneously andthus allow them to more efficiently run errands, take walks, or jog. Assuch, a double stroller allows the parents or guardians more freedomthan they would have with only a single stroller, especially whiletrying to manage two sleeping children.

Though double strollers have certain advantages, double strollers alsohave disadvantages. Double strollers are substantially larger thansingle strollers and are, therefore, more difficult to maneuver throughdoors and down aisles in stores. Typically, the benefits of being ableto accommodate two children greatly offset these disadvantages. However,when the parent or guardian has only one child with them, the benefitsof the double stroller are not realized but the disadvantages stillexist.

Therefore, parents often buy two or more strollers to use at differenttimes; a single stroller for times when they only have one child withthem and a double stroller for when they need a stroller that willaccommodate two children. This often creates its own set of problems.The multiple strollers must be stored and there is seldom room for botha folded double stroller and a folded single stroller in the trunk of atypical car or back of a sport utility vehicle.

Stroller manufacturers have attempted to solve this problem by providinga place for a second child to stand on the back of a single stroller orattachments that provide another seat for the second child that hangsunder and slightly behind the seat of the single stroller. This providesa second seat for a child but the child is tucked close to the back ofthe front seat which may be uncomfortable, reduce the capacity of theunder seat storage, and prevent the parent from hanging a bag on thehandle bars.

There exists a need for a single stroller that may be convenientlyconverted to a double stroller. There is also a need for a conversionkit that converts the single stroller into a full double stroller thatis capable of accommodating two children without loss of convenience forthe parent or guardian.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Strollers are typically single strollers (strollers having one seat fortransporting one child) or may also be double strollers (strollershaving two seats for transporting two children). Embodiments of theinvention are directed to a seat attachment for a stroller comprising aconnector portion capable of connecting directly to a stroller frame orto an attachment frame member connected to the stroller frame; and aseat support element capable of supporting a seat. In certainembodiments, the attachment for a stroller comprises an attachment framemember having a first end and a second end. The first end may be capableof connecting the seat attachment to a stroller frame and the second endmay be capable of connecting to the seat support element. The seatsupport element is thus capable of supporting a seat on the stroller. Inmore specific embodiments, the seat may be supported in either a forwardor backward position.

Another embodiment comprises a stroller and seat attachment for thestroller, wherein the stroller comprises an attachment frame memberconnected to the frame of the stroller and the seat attachment for thestroller comprises a connector portion. The attachment frame member andthe connector portion comprise components that are capable of beingsecurely connected together. In certain embodiments, the attachmentframe member and the connector portion comprise components that arecapable of being securely and releasably connected together. In thismanner, the seat attachment may be attached to the stroller and a seat,as defined above, may be connected to the seat attachment, thusreversibly converting the single stroller into a double stroller.

In a further embodiment, the seat attachment for the stroller furthercomprises at least one wheel. The wheel may be connected to the seatattachment by a wheel support frame which may be rigidly attached or maybe pivotally attached to the seat attachment. The wheel support framemay be connected to any section of the seat attachment, preferably thewheel support frame is pivotally connected to the back portion of theseat attachment in an area adjacent to the connector portion orconnected near the middle of the attachment portion.

Embodiments of the seat attachment for a stroller may further comprise afolding mechanism. The folding mechanism may comprise a sliding memberslidingly connected to the attachment portion and a folding frame memberor strut having a first end connected to the sliding member and a secondend connected to the wheel support frame. The folding mechanism allowsthe wheel support frame to pivot from a first position (in-useposition), to a second position (a folded position). The attachment forthe stroller also may comprise a locking mechanism that secures theattachment to a stroller in the in-use position and unlocks theattachment to allow the attachment to be connected or removed from thestroller when in the folded position. The locking mechanism may be asmall protrusion attached to the wheel support frame that engages acorresponding aperture in the stroller or the stroller attachmentportion to secure the attachment to the stroller. In the foldedposition, the protrusion is not engaged in the aperture.

A further aspect is directed to a double stroller. The double strollermay comprise a frame, wherein the frame comprises a handle portion, afront wheel support portion, a back wheel support portion, and a foldingmechanism. Embodiments of the double stroller comprise a stroller framecomprising wheels, the frame, a first seat and a connector portionconnected to the frame. The double stroller may further comprise a seatattachment frame comprising a wheel, a second seat, and a secondattachment portion capable of connecting to the connector portion of thestroller frame. The second attachment portion may be releasablyconnected to the connector portion. Further, the second seat may bereleasably connected to the seat attachment frame and is capable ofsupporting the second seat in either a forward or backward position.

A further embodiment of the double stroller comprises a first seatattachment capable of releasably supporting a first child seat and asecond seat attachment capable of releasably supporting a second childseat. The seat attachments may comprise two seat connector portions forsupporting the seat on both sides.

A still further embodiment of the double stroller comprises at least onefirst seat attachment adjacent to the front wheel support portion and asecond seat attachment adjacent to each folding mechanism and/or thehandle portion. The first seat attachment may be above at least onefront wheel connected to the wheel support portion.

A still further embodiment of the stroller comprises a frame, at leastone front wheel, at least one rear wheel, a first stroller seat with atleast one first attachment portion permanently attached to the frame;and at least one releasably connected second seat attachment portioncapable of supporting a second seat in front of the first stroller seat.As in other embodiments, the seat attachment may comprise two seatconnectors. Either or both seat attachment portions may be a single partwith two seat connectors or two separate pieces each comprising a seatconnector.

In any of the above embodiments, the stroller, double stroller orattachment may comprise one or more of the following features; a sleevefor removably receiving the attachment portion. The seat attachmentportion may comprise a protrusion having a complementary shape to thesleeve for inserting into the sleeve. Further, the second seat may beintegral to the seat attachment.

Aspects of the stroller, double stroller and attachment are presented invarious embodiments, however one skilled in the art will understandvarious variation and interchangeability of the components of thevarious embodiments which are intended to be included in the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a single stroller;

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a seat attachment to convert a singlestroller into a double stroller;

FIG. 3 shows the combination of the single stroller of FIG. 1 attachedto the seat attachment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a seat attachment capable of supporting acar seat on an attachment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a combination of the single stroller of FIG. 1 attached toan embodiment of the attachment in the form of a tricycle-like ridingdevice;

FIG. 6A shows an accessory attachment for supporting an accessory on astroller; FIG. 6B shows a bag or purse for attaching to the accessoryattachment of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 shows an attachment for supporting a seat comprising one wheel;

FIGS. 8 and 8A show an embodiment of a stroller that is capable of beingconverted from a single stroller to a double stroller comprising anattachment portion that does not comprise a wheel;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, and 9F show various configurations of theembodiments of the stroller shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a stroller with left and right attachment frame membersfor attaching a second seat; and

FIG. 11 shows an attachment frame member with a cylindrical post to bereceived in a slot in a stroller frame.

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to an accessory, attachment, or conversion kit(hereinafter “seat attachment”) for a stroller. As discussed above,parents or guardians may find themselves in a situation wherein it ismore convenient to transport two children in a stroller, but at the sametime find it inconvenient to have both a single stroller and doublestroller. Embodiments of the seat attachment solve this problem. In oneaspect, an embodiment of the seat attachment for a stroller is capableof converting a single stroller into a double stroller. The seatattachment may support a seat such as, but not limited to, a strollerseat, a baby seat, a bassinet, a pram, a baby carrier, or a car seat,for example. Therefore, the parent or guardian does not require both asingle stroller and a double stroller. A stroller configured to receivea seat attachment for converting a single stroller into a doublestroller provides convenience to the user. The single stroller may beconnected to a double stroller by attaching the seat attachment to thesingle stroller and then attaching the second seat. As such, anembodiment of the seat attachment for converting a single stroller intoa double stroller comprises at least one connector portion capable ofconnecting to a stroller frame and a seat support element capable ofsupporting a seat. The seat attachment may optionally comprise at leastone wheel for additional support and stability, however, for moreconvenience, embodiments of the attachment do not include a wheel. Incertain embodiments, a wheel may stabilize the double stroller, but inother embodiments of the attachment the wheel may not be desirable ornecessary. Additional embodiments of the attachment comprise a cart,wagon, tricycle-like attachment, or other riding toy that may beconnected to the stroller, for example. A tricycle-like attachment wouldallow a child to ride or be pushed in front of the stroller.

A side view of an embodiment a single stroller 10 is shown in FIG. 1. Asa note, FIG. 1 shows only one side of the single stroller 10, however,most components include a complementary component on the other side ofthe single stroller but are not shown in FIG. 1. The single stroller 10comprises a frame 12 that supports seat 13. The frame 12 may,optionally, include at least one, preferably two, folding mechanism 16that allows the stroller 10 to be folded to a more convenient size forstoring or transporting the stroller 10.

In this embodiment, the seat 13 is shown as a typical stroller seat,however, other types of seats may be used in a single stroller. The seat13 may be permanently affixed to the frame 12 or releasably connectedsuch that it is capable of being removed and substituted with adifferent seat. As used herein, “releasably connected” or “releasablyattached” means the connection is not a permanent connection and thatthe connection is capable being of connected and disconnected by theuser of the stroller without requiring special tools or special skills.Releasable connections include, but are not limited to, buttons, snaps,friction fittings, interference fits, threaded connections, lockingtabs, keyed connections, other fasteners, or the like. On stroller 10 ofFIG. 1, the frame 12 is supported on a pair of back wheels 14 and a pairof front wheels 15. In this embodiment, back wheels 14 are fixed and donot swivel or pivot on the frame. The pair of front wheels 15 on thesingle stroller 10 pivot to make turning the single stroller 10 easierand more convenient. Though, pivoting wheels may be preferred in certainstrollers, strollers with fixed non-pivoting wheels are also common. Itshould be noted that a single stroller does not require pairs of frontor rear wheels and either the front pair of wheels 15 or the back pairof wheels 14 may be substituted with a single wheel. Conventionally,many single strollers, including umbrella strollers, jogging strollers,all-terrain strollers, as well as other strollers may only include onefront wheel. Embodiments of the seat attachment of the invention may becapable of converting any style of stroller to a double stroller,including strollers with one or two front wheels.

The embodiment of the stroller 10 comprises two attachment portions 17.The connector portions are preferably on the front of the stroller toallow the seat attachment and the seat to be connected to the front ofthe stroller 10. The attachment portions 17 allow a seat attachment suchas the seat attachment for converting the single stroller 10 to a doublestroller, as shown in FIG. 3, to be connected to the stroller. Only oneseat attachment is shown in FIG. 3, the stroller 10 would use two seatattachments as shown in FIG. 3 or one seat attachment comprising twoseat support elements. The embodiment of the stroller 10 has a left sideand right side attachment portions 17. An embodiment of a seatattachment of stroller 10 will comprise corresponding connector portionscapable of connecting to the stroller frame at the attachment portions17. Though the seat attachment for the stroller is described in relationto a single stroller, the attachment may similarly be attached to adouble stroller. Embodiments of the seat attachment may therefore beused to convert a double stroller into a triple stroller, if desired.

An embodiment of a seat attachment 20 of the invention is shown in FIG.2. The seat attachment of FIG. 2 is in an unlocked and foldedconfiguration. The seat attachment 20 comprises a pair of connectorportions 21 capable of connecting to the attachment frame members 24,two seat attachment elements 22 capable of supporting a seat; and awheel 23. In this embodiment, the connector portions are connected tothe rear of the seat attachment 20 allowing the seat attachment 20 to beconnected to the front of a stroller, such as stroller 10 shown inFIG. 1. Other embodiments of the seat attachment may include more thanone wheel, one connector portion, one seat support element, orcombinations of these elements. In an embodiment of the stroller withone wheel, the attachment frame member may be on the forks of the frontwheel, for example.

The seat attachment 20 comprises a wheel support frame 26 connecting thewheel 23 to the attachment frame member 24 of the attachment 20. Eachattachment frame member 24 has a first and a second end. The first endis capable of connecting to a stroller frame and the second end isconnected to the seat support element 22. The embodiment of the seatattachment 20 comprises a wheel support frame 26 that is pivotallyconnected to two attachment frame members 24. The wheel support frame 26or the attachment frame 24 may span the width of the stroller betweenthe two attachment portions 17. The pivotal connection 27 allows theseat attachment to be folded and conveniently stored or transported butis not necessary for the invention. The pivotal connection is optionaland provides more convenience, however, embodiments of the attachmentmay comprise a releasably connected wheel support frame or a rigid framethat may be incorporated to produce a seat attachment that has greaterstrength for use in situations wherein a stronger seat attachment may bedesired such as with all-terrain or jogging strollers, for example. Thewheel support frame may be connected at any point on the attachmentframe, preferably the wheel support frame is connected near theconnector portion 21 or near the middle of the attachment frame 24.

An embodiment of the seat attachment without a wheel may includeconnector portion 21 or attachment frame member 24, and seat attachmentmember 22, for example. In such an embodiment, there would be no needfor pivotal connection 27, wheel support frame 26, sliding connector 25,or wheel 23. FIG. 1A shows a top view of an embodiment of an attachmentportion and FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of aconnector portion

The seat attachment 20 comprises a folding mechanism comprising asliding connector 25 connected to a first end of strut 28. A second endof strut 28 is pivotally connected to wheel support frame 26. In such anembodiment, the sliding connector 25 may be moved between a firstposition and a second position on the attachment frame member 24. As thesliding connector 25 is moved, strut 28 pushes the wheel support frame26 from an in-use position to a storage position. The storage positionis more compact as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the embodiment of theseat attachment 20 comprises a locking mechanism 27 that is capable ofsecuring the seat attachment 20 to a stroller, such as stroller 10 shownin FIG. 1. The locking mechanism 29 is engaged by moving the slidingconnector 25 to the in-use position in which the wheel support frame 28and wheel 23 are extended. In an embodiment of the seat attachment 20for the stroller 10, the wheel of the seat attachment 20 is pivotallyconnected to the connector portion and when the wheel is in the in-useposition the releasable connection is locked and when the wheel 23 ismoved to the storage position, the releasable connection is unlockedallowing the seat attachment 20 to be removed from stroller 10. The seatattachment 20 may be stored and stroller 10 may be conveniently used asa single stroller. As designed, the seat attachment 20 may bereconnected to stroller 10 for use as a double stroller. In anyembodiment of the invention, the seat attachment portion may be securedinto position on the stroller frame and a locking mechanism may be usedwith an embodiment with or without the wheel. Either the seat attachmentor the stroller frame may comprise a locking mechanism for securing thestroller and seat attachment together. The locking mechanism may be anymechanism capable of securing the components together during use and maybe a friction locking device, threaded connection, peg in a hole, or aninterference locking device such as a pin in a hole or, for example. Inembodiment 20 shown in FIG. 2, the locking mechanism 29 pivots withwheel support frame 26 as the attachment 20 is moved from an unfoldedposition to a folded position. The locking mechanism 29 may slide into ahole or notch in the attachment frame member of stroller 10 shown inFIG. 1. As such, the attachment 20 may be attached to stroller 10 bypositioning attachment portion 21 of attachment 20 in slot 18 ofattachment portion 17 of stroller 10. The sliding connector 25 may bemoved to the in-use position, wheel support frame is moved and lockingmechanism 29 is positioned into locking slot 19 of stroller 10.

The connector portion 21 of the embodiment of the seat attachment 20 hasa cylindrical shape. The connector portion 21 may be inserted into acylindrical slot 18 of the attachment portion 17 of stroller 10 of FIG.1 to secure the seat attachment and convert the single stroller into adouble stroller, as shown in FIG. 3. Other embodiments of the seatattachment may include any type of connector portion. The connectorportion may be of a solid or tubular construction and may be anycross-sectional shape including, but not limited to, circular,polygonal, square, rectangular, and triangular, for example. Otherattachment mechanisms may be utilized to connect the seat attachment tothe stroller such as, but not limited to, a U-shaped bracket, a U-bolt,a pipe clamp, O-shaped bracket, screw, bolt, or other clamping orattachment means. The attachment frame member of the stroller has acomplimentary and cooperating shape that allows the connector portion tobe secured to the attachment portion of the stroller.

In FIG. 3, the seat attachment 20 of FIG. 2 is shown connected to thesingle stroller 10 of FIG. 1 forming a double stroller. The doublestroller configuration is shown with two stroller seats 13 in an inlineconfiguration, though the other configurations, such as a stroller seatand a bassinet or a pram may also be supported on the double stroller.Further, the seat support element of the seat attachment may be capableof supporting the front stroller seat in either a forward or backwardposition.

The embodiment of the stroller 10 is shown only as an example of onetype of stroller, the frame of the stroller may be any of many possibleconfigurations. Embodiments of the accessory of the invention may beconfigured to be used on any such configuration of a stroller. Forexample, a different embodiment of the baby stroller may not include twofront wheels, may not include a folding mechanism or may only includeonly one folding mechanism. In addition, the baby stroller may includeadditional features not included in baby stroller 10. For example, thestroller may optionally comprise fixed front wheels, an entirelydifferent frame configuration, or a storage basket underneath the seatof the stroller.

The seat support member may be any configuration capable of supportingthe seat on the seat attachment. Another embodiment of a seat supportmember for use with a car seat or other baby seat is shown in FIG. 4.The embodiment of the seat support member 40 of FIG. 4 comprises a mainsupport 41. The main support 41 comprises a cradle for supporting acentral portion of the seat. Another portion of the seat may restagainst support bar 42. In this embodiment, support bar 42 may beadjusted to accommodate seats of different shapes and sizes. Support bar42 may be slid within aperture 43 and locked in place when in thedesired position to support a certain seat. The seat is, therefore,supported on two main supports 41 and support bar 42. The seat may befurther secured in the seat attachment member 40 by wrapping belts 44and 45 around the seat and locking the belts in this position with abuckle or other securing means.

Another embodiment of a seat attachment for a stroller is shown in FIG.5. The combination 50 comprises stroller 10 and seat attachment 51. Seatattachment 51 is a tricycle-like attachment comprising a connectorportion 52, a frame 53 with a seat support element 56, a seat 57, andwheel 55. The tricycle-like attachment may be attached to stroller 10 toallow one child to be pushed in the stroller 10 and one child to ridethe seat attachment 51. The seat attachment may be other shapes alsosuch as cars, trucks, or animal shapes, for example.

The embodiment of the stroller 10 of FIG. 5 comprises an additionalaccessory attachment portion 58. The accessory attachment portion 58attaches to a frame member of stroller 10. An embodiment of theaccessory attachment portion 58 is shown on FIG. 6A. This embodiment isparticularly useful for attaching a bag or purse 64, as shown in FIG.6B, to stroller 10.

When using a stroller, parents or guardians typically carry other items,such as purses, grocery bags, cell phones, diapers, cleaning wipes, orother personal or baby related items. Some strollers have bottom storagebaskets for placing such items. However, these storage baskets can beinconvenient to access or some light weight strollers do not includesuch storage. Therefore, users of the stroller may hang purses orshopping bags on the handle of the stroller. This is convenient in thatthe bag is easy to access, but the weight of the bag on the handle maycause the stroller to be unbalanced and increase the tendency of thestroller to topple backwards. A heavy bag hung from the handle of astroller may cause the stroller to tip backwards even with a child inthe seat. The problem is worse if the stroller is facing uphill, onuneven terrain, being pushed up a curb, or occupied by a small child.The attachment portion may be attached to the frame of a stroller by anyof the clamping or attachment methods described above, for example.Preferably, accessory attachment 58 is attached near the center ofgravity of the stroller 10 to avoid creating an unbalanced condition ofthe stroller. An embodiment of the accessory attachment 58 is shown inFIG. 6A. Accessory attachment 58 is shown connected to stroller frame 12of stroller 10 in FIG. 1 near the folding mechanism. Embodiments of theaccessory comprise a first end 61 for connecting to a stroller frame anda second end 62 for releasably connecting to the accessory. The firstend 61 comprises an aperture 64 that may be connected to frame 12 of thestroller 10. In certain embodiments, the aperture 64 is on an angle—suchthat when the axis of the accessory attachment portion 58 issubstantially horizontal. The accessory attachment 58 may, optionally,comprise a rib for securing the accessory to the accessory attachment58. The rib as shown in FIG. 6A may be replaced with any other lockingelement or securing means including a friction fitting, a screwedfitting, interference fitting, for example.

One example of an accessory for attaching to an accessory attachment 58is shown in FIG. 6B. The accessory is a bag or purse 64. The accessoryincludes an attachment portion 65 that is capable of being secured tothe attachment portion 62 on the accessory attachment 58. The bag orpurse 64 may be secured on stroller 10 by securing attachment portion 65to attachment portion 62. The attachment portion 65, as shown, slidesover the cylindrical attachment portion 62 of accessory attachment 58.Attachment portion 65 may include an interior annular recess thatreceives rib 63 securing the bag or purse 58 to stroller 10. The bag orpurse 64 is thus secured to the stroller 10 in a center portion of thestroller as viewed from the side. Therefore, the bag or purse 64 isconveniently secured to stroller 10 while not contributing to anunbalanced condition of the stroller 10.

Another embodiment of the seat attachment 70 comprises two seatattachment members 71, two connector portions 72 and a wheel 73. The twoseat attachment members and the wheel are in triangular relationship.The wheel 73 provides additional stability to a stroller connected tothe seat attachment 70 if a heavier child is placed in a seat attachedto the seat attachment members.

A further embodiment of the stroller 80 is shown in FIG. 8. Stroller 80may be easily converted from a single stroller comprising one seat to adouble stroller comprising two seats without addition of another wheelon the attachment. Stroller 80 comprises a frame 81 capable ofsupporting the stroller seat 86. In this embodiment, the frame 81comprises a front wheel support portion 81 a, a back wheel supportportion 81 b, and a handle portion 81 c. The frame 81 of the embodimentof the stroller 80 further comprises a folding mechanism 81 d thatconnects front wheel support portion 81 a, a back wheel support portion81 b, and a handle portion 81 c. The folding mechanism 81 d allows thestroller to be folded in a more compact size for storing ortransportation. FIG. 8A shows stroller 80 in a folded configuration.

Stroller 80 further comprises at least one front wheel 82 (both frontwheels 82 of stroller 80 may be seen in FIG. 8A), at least one rearwheel 83 (both rear wheels 83 of stroller 80 may be seen in FIG. 8A), astroller seat 86, and a seat support portion 84 capable of supporting asecond seat in front of the stroller seat. The stroller 80 may furthercomprise a storage basket 87. Seat support portion may be of any designcapable of securely supporting a seat on the stroller. For example, theseat support portion 84 may be similar to seat support portion 20 shownin FIG. 2 without the wheel 23, the strut 28, pivotal connection 27,and/or the wheel support frame 26. Preferably, the seat support portionis capable of supporting a seat such that a child in the seat issubstantially above the frame of the stroller. This provides easieraccess to the seat, does not block access to the storage basket, allowsmore versatile configurations of the seats, allows more variety of seatsto be attached to the frame, and allows the parent or other guardian tomore easily monitor and see the child in each seat.

Stroller 80 comprises a stroller seat 86. The stroller seat 86 islocated adjacent to handle portion. The stroller seat 86 may be fixedlyattached or removably attached to frame 81. In embodiments of thestroller 80 wherein stroller seat 86 is removably attached to frame 81,the stroller seat 86 may be removed and replaced in a backward facingconfiguration with a second stroller seat 85 connected with seatattachment 84, see FIG. 9A, the second stroller seat be replaced by ainfant carrier 93 and the stroller seat facing forward, see FIG. 9B orthe child carrier 91 may be positioned in the first seat position andthe stroller seat 85 in the second seat position, see FIG. 9C, or thechild carrier 91 may be replaced with a pram 92, see FIG. 9D. In anotherconfiguration of the double stroller, two child carriers 93 mayconnected to the stroller frame 81, see FIG. 9E, or one of the childcarriers 93 may be replaced with a pram or bassinet 92 as shown in FIG.9F. Embodiments of the stroller 80 may comprise a second seat supportelement 89 adjacent to the handle portion. A stroller 80 comprising asecond seat support element 89 allows the seat to be easily removed andreconfigured to a different orientation or replaced with a differentstyle seat as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9F.

Embodiment of the stroller 80 comprises a first seat support element 84.The seat support element 84 is connected to the stroller 80 front wheelsupport frame 81 a. The seat support element 84 is adjacent to the frontwheel support portion 81 a of frame 81. The seat support element iscapable of supporting a second stroller seat 85 in front of the strollerseat 86. This provides convenience and versatility to a user of stroller80. Seat support element may be fixedly attached or removably attachedto front wheel support portion 81 a. The front seat 85 may be positionedsubstantially over the front wheels so the stroller remains stable.Preferably, the seats should be positioned such that the center ofgravity of the stroller is between the front and rear wheels. If not anadditional wheel may be placed on the attachment as previouslydescribed. Seat support element 84 comprises a seat connector 88. Seatconnector 88 may be a multipurpose general connector that allowsdifferent seats to be interchanged on the seat support element 84. Anystyle seat may be configured to connect to the seat connector, such asbut not limited to, a stroller seat, a baby seat, a bassinet, a pram, ababy carrier, or a car seat, for example.

An embodiment of the stroller attachment comprises a connector portion,and a seat support element. The connector portion is capable ofconnecting the seat attachment to the frame.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, stroller 80 comprises a firststroller seat 86 and a second stroller seat 85. Stroller seat 86 isshown in the forward facing configuration and second stroller seat 85 isshown in a backward facing configuration. The seat support element 84 iscapable of supporting the seat above the front wheel 82 connected to thewheel support portion 81 a. Preferably, the front seat is locatedsubstantially over the front wheels and the back seat is locatedsubstantially over the rear wheels.

Though it can not be seen in the side view of FIG. 8, a typicalembodiment of the stroller will comprise two seat connector portions.One seat connector portion will support each side of the seat. Theconnector portion may be one piece or multiple parts.

FIGS. 9A through 9F show various configurations that are possible withthe stroller of the invention. These configurations are not to beconsidered to be all available configurations of the stroller and oneskilled in the art would recognize many additional possibilities basedupon this specification and set of drawings. From the foregoing it willbe appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention havebeen described herein for purposes of illustration, variousmodifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as bythe appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A stroller, comprising: a stroller frame; aplurality of wheels comprising a plurality of front wheels and aplurality of back wheels; a first seat coupled to the stroller frame ata first vertical position of the stroller frame closer to a handle ofthe stroller and configured to hold a first child in the stroller; asecond seat attachment coupled to the stroller frame at a secondvertical position substantially below the first vertical position andcloser to the front wheels and comprising: a left seat support element,wherein the left seat support element comprises: a first connectorportion releasably connected to the stroller frame closer to a leftfront wheel and a left seat connector releasably connecting a secondseat in either a forward or backward position; and a right seat supportelement, wherein the right seat support element comprises: a secondconnector portion releasably connected to the stroller frame closer to aright front wheel and a right seat connector releasably connecting thesecond seat in either a forward or backward position between the leftand right seat connectors; and the second seat releasably connected tothe left seat connector and the right seat connector and configured tohold a second child in the stroller while the first seat holds the firstchild.
 2. The stroller of claim 1, wherein the second seat is a babyseat, a car seat, a stroller seat, a bassinet, a baby carrier, or apram.
 3. The stroller of claim 1, wherein each of the left and rightseat support elements has a first end and a second end.
 4. The strollerof claim 3, wherein the first end comprises the connector portion and isreleasably connected to the stroller frame.
 5. The stroller of claim 4,wherein the second end comprises the seat connector and is releasablyconnected to the second seat.
 6. The stroller of claim 1, wherein boththe first connector portion and the second connector portion releasablyconnect to the stroller by at least one of buttons, snaps, frictionfittings, interference fits, threaded connections, locking tabs, orkeyed connections.
 7. A stroller, comprising: a stroller frame; aplurality of wheels comprising a plurality of front wheels and aplurality of back wheels; a first seat coupled to the stroller frame anddisposed along a first vertical position of the stroller frame closer toa handle of the stroller, the first seat configured to hold a firstchild in the stroller; a second seat attachment coupled to the strollerframe closer to the front wheels and comprising: a left seat supportelement, wherein the left seat support element comprises: a firstconnector portion releasably connected to the stroller frame closer to aleft front wheel and a left seat connector releasably connecting asecond seat in either a forward or backward position; and a right seatsupport element, wherein the right seat support element comprises: asecond connector portion releasably connected to the stroller framecloser to a right front wheel and a right seat connector releasablyconnecting the second seat in either a forward or backward positionbetween the left and right seat connectors; and the second seatreleasably connected to the left seat connector and the right seatconnector and positioned at a second vertical position substantiallybelow the first vertical position of the first seat, the second seatconfigured to hold a second child in the stroller while the first seatholds the first child.